HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Mohawk Home has appointed Michael J. Riley to the new position of senior vice president/general manager of Karastan Rugs, reporting to Rocky Casteel, president.

Riley, a rug industry veteran who started his career at Karastan as a territory manager in 1987, returns to grow its reach, kicking off his new tenure at last week's High Point Market. While meeting with customers and industry colleagues, he told RugNews.com the Karastan team has a number of out-of-the-box strategies in the works, including plans to leverage the rug category throughout Mohawk Industries. "The goal is to expand the brand and enhanced product offering into under penetrated channels, capitalizing on the company's vast resources," Riley explained.

"Working for the world's largest floor covering company offers tremendous assets and support along with some of the most talented folks on the planet," he continued. "I look forward to working across the organization, connecting some of the dots and really attacking the rug market like never before."

Riley joins Karastan with substantial high level experience in the industry at positions such as CEO and managing director, president, and VP of sales and marketing. He most recently served as president of Feizy, and prior experience includes Oriental Weavers, where he worked for about 20 years both in the U.S. and abroad.